Ouachita Stories

Stephanie Batsel, a senior music and business administration/marketing major from Mansfield, Texas, was crowned Ouachita Baptist University’s 2011 Homecoming Queen during Ouachita’s pre-homecoming game ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Batsel and other members of the court were presented to the Homecoming crowd at A.U. Williams Field, followed by the kickoff of the Homecoming game against the Valdosta State University. Ouachita President Rex Horne and OBU’s 2010 Homecoming Queen, Allison Cornell, crowned Batsel. The 2011 Homecoming Court included Kendall Calvert, Grace Johnson, Cara McKinney and Ashley Briggs.

Presented to the Ouachita student body during the weekly chapel service, court members were nominated by campus clubs, classes and organizations. After the service, students were given the opportunity to vote for the court by casting ballots for their top five choices. The results were not announced until the Oct. 8 pre-game ceremony.

After the game Saturday afternoon, Batsel and the four runners-up were introduced on stage during the final show of Tiger Tunes, an annual fundraising and entertainment event hosted by the Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF).

“Being named Homecoming Queen is just about the most humbling thing I’ve ever experienced,” Batsel said. “Knowing that it’s voted on by peers just means the world. I love Ouachita so incredibly much, and it’s been a huge influence in making me the person I am today, so being able to represent it as Homecoming Queen is a huge honor that I feel entirely undeserving of and blessed by.

“The people I’ve encountered at Ouachita and the life lessons I’ve learned have so far surpassed anything I could ever hope or wish for in a college experience,” Batsel added. Ouachita’s “impact is enduring and helps to hone each student into the young man or woman he or she is designed to be.”

Batsel, a 2008 graduate of Mansfield High School, represented Students in Free Enterprise and was escorted on the field by her father, Chuck Batsel. She is also involved in Ouachita Singers as vice president and Refuge Band and works with the youth at Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Bryant, Ark. Additionally, she performed as one of the hostesses in this year’s Tiger Tunes production, which drew in four sold-out crowds during Homecoming weekend.

“This weekend was the single most exhilarating experience of my lifetime,” Batsel said. “Being surrounded by all the people I love most (family, friend, Ouachitonians past and present) while doing the thing I love most, performing … it just couldn’t be any better.”

First runner-up was Kendall Calvert, a senior church media/production arts major from Mansfield, Texas. Calvert represented Campus Ministries where she serves as a ministry leader and is also involved in the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Leadership Team. She was escorted on the field by her father, Richard Calvert.

Second runner-up was Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas. Johnson represented Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity and is also involved in Ouachita Singers and has performed as the vocalist for OBU’s Jazz Band. She was escorted on the field by Nick Bass, a senior history and political science major from Coppell, Texas.

Third runner-up was Cara McKinney, a senior biology major from Hughes Springs, Texas. McKinney represented Panhellenic Council and is also involved in Tri Chi Women’s Social Club. She was escorted on the field by her father, Stephen McKinney.

Fourth runner-up was Ashley Briggs, a sophomore church music major from Little Rock, Ark. Briggs represented the sophomore class and is also involved in Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and Ouachita Singers. She was escorted on the field by her father, Gary Briggs.

Other contestants in the field of 32 Ouachita Baptist University students who competed for the title of 2011 Homecoming Queen included:

Rebecca Atkinson, a junior early childhood education major from Arkadelphia, Ark., represented Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and the Ouachita Student Foundation. She was escorted on the field by her father, Chuck Atkinson.

Kelsey Bates, a senior instrumental music education major from Marion, Ark., represented Tau Beta Sigma national honorary band sorority and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club. She was escorted on the field by her father, Barry Bates.

Shannon Bennings, a senior dietetics/nutrition major from Prattsville, Ark., represented the Dietetics Club. She was escorted on the field by her father, Mark Bennings.

Hannah Bridges, a sophomore English major from Clarksville, Ark., represented Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and is also involved in Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and the Ouachita Student Foundation. She was escorted on the field by her father, Darrel Bridges.

Elizabeth Burke, a senior biology major from Hot Springs, Ark., represented the senior class and is also involved in Student Senate and the Ouachita Student Foundation. She was escorted on the field by her father, Rick Burke.

Aaren Crews, a senior early childhood education major from Arkadelphia, Ark., represented Student Senate and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and the Big Brother Big Sister program. She was escorted on the field by Keith Crews.

Cheyenne Flemister, a senior accounting and finance major from Monticello, Ark., represented the Ouachita Student Foundation and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and the Big Brother Big Sister program. She was escorted on the field by her father, Jeff Flemister.

Leah Harrington, a senior biology major from Hot Springs, Ark., represented the OBU Spirit Squad and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and the Cheerleading Squad as captain. She was escorted on the field by her father, David Harrington.

Hillary Hill, a senior sociology major from Forrest City, Ark., represented Eta Alpha Omega Men’s Social Club and is also involved in Panhellenic Council. She was escorted on the field by her father, Butch Hill.

Natalie Holmes, a senior early childhood education major from Richardson, Texas, represented the Elrod Center and is also involved in America Reads/America Counts and the Big Brother Big Sister program. She was escorted on the field by her father, Charlie Holmes.

Jenna Hurst, a sophomore Christian studies and Spanish major from Gurdon, Ark., represented EEE Women’s Social Club’s 2011 pledge class and is also involved in the ElderServe program. She was escorted on the field by her father, David Hurst.

Lauren Jackson, a junior biology major from Arkadelphia, Ark., represented Beta Beta Men’s Social Club and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. She was escorted on the field by her father, Dr. Scott Jackson.

Kristen James, a junior kinesiology/recreation major from Houston, Texas, represented Reaching Out to Multi-cultural Students and is also involved in the Ouachita Student Foundation. She was escorted on the field by her father, John James.

Grace Janzen, a senior graphic design and history major from Tulsa, Okla., represented the Carl Goodson Honors Program and is also involved in Campus Activities Board. She was escorted on the field by her brothers, Samuel and Micah Janzen.

Alexis Kamerman, a sophomore Christian studies/ministry major from Searcy, Ark., represented Tri Chi Women’s Social Club’s 2011 pledge class and is also involved in Crossroads Bible Study. She was escorted on the field by her father, Dr. Tim Kamerman.

Kathryn Lee Kellogg, a senior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark., represented Theta Alpha Phi national theatre honors fraternity and is also involved in Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and hosts the Ouachita Halftime Report radio show. She was escorted on the field by her father, James Kellogg.

Devan Malone, a junior speech communication and mass communications major from Benton, Ark., represented the junior class and is also involved in Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and Student Senate. She was escorted on the field by her father, Stephen Malone.

Emily Morgan, a senior accounting and business administration/finance major from Mountain Home, Ark., represented EEE Women’s Social Club, where she serves as president. She also serves on the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. She was escorted on the field by her father, Roger Morgan.

Sunhye Kim, a junior biology major from South Korea, represented the International Club and is also involved in the American Chemical Society. She was escorted on the field by her American host, Captain Kichang Lee.

Alex Rijken, a senior psychology major from Carrollton, Texas, represented Chi Delta Women’s Social Club. She was escorted on the field by her mother, Roza Rijken.

Ashley Sharp, a senior speech communication major from Arkadelphia, Ark., represented the Gridiron Girls and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club. She was escorted on the field by her father, David Sharp.

Taylor Skinner, a sophomore biology major from Stuttgart, Ark., represented Chi Delta Women’s Social Club’s 2011 pledge class and is also involved in Gridiron Girls and the OBU Cheerleading Squad. She was escorted on the field by her father, Johnny Skinner.

Allie Smith, a freshman chemistry major from Little Rock, Ark., represented the freshman class and is also involved in Campus Ministries and Backyard Bible Club. She was escorted on the field by her father, Darrell Smith.

Stephanie Warren, a senior Christian studies major from Spring, Texas, represented Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and is also involved in Ouachita Student Foundation and Pruet Sisterhood. She was escorted on the field by her father, Bryan Warren.

Holly Williams, a senior psychology and Spanish major from Rowlett, Texas, represented Panhellenic Council and is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club. She was escorted on the field by her father, John Williams.

Melanie Williams, a senior early childhood education major from West Monroe, La., represented Chi Rho Phi Women’s Social Club and is also involved in Kappa Delta Pi international education honor society. She was escorted on the field by her uncle, Tim Williams.

Kelsie Wilson, a junior early childhood education major from Batesville, Ark., represented Chi Delta Women’s Social Club’s 2011 pledge class and is also a member of the OBU Cross Country team. She was escorted by her father, Jerry Wilson.

By Brooke Zimny